HallowEast turns 5

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The annual HallowEast celebration, sponsored by East End Main Street, celebrates its fifth year of frightening fun this weekend. It kicked off Thursday with the "Artmares" opening reception and continues through Saturday. Find out more about any event and buy tickets at www.halloweast.com.

THURSDAY

'Artmares': This fifth annual horror-themed art show, featuring works by more than 40 local artists, is on display at Contemporary Galleries, 1210 Smith St., from 6 to 9 p.m.

"Dinner at the End of the World": Limited tickets remain to this murder mystery party by the No Pants Players at the Woman's Club of Charleston, 1600 Virginia St. E. It features a PG-13 rated storyline and food and drinks from six East End restaurants. Advance tickets are $40; it's unlikely any will be available at the door, but if there are, they're $45.

FRIDAY

'Artmares': A closing reception runs 6 to 11 p.m. with live music by Sean Sydnor, plus beer, wine and food.

SATURDAY

HallowEast Bizarre: A holiday edition of the East End Bazaar runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the corner of Washington Street and Ruffner Avenue. Special events include a live broadcast by Electric 102.7, a "Thriller" dance workshop by Lee's Studio of Dance at 11 a.m. and a performance by rockers HARRAH at 1 p.m.

Run Like Hell Zombie 5K Run/Walk: New this year, this after-dark road race pits the living against the undead as humans traverse a course wearing several "life flags," which zombie participants will attempt to steal as they give chase in designated attack zones along the way. Prizes awarded include best time, best time with most life flags kept and zombie with the most flags taken.

The race starts at 7 p.m. at Laidley Field. Register there beginning at 4 p.m. or in advance through the HallowEast website. Registration is $30 or $25 each for groups of four or more. Proceeds will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in memory of Lindsey Strader. Participants receive a $10 off ticket to the Costume Pub Crawl.

East End Zombie Walk: Zombies will begin gathering in the Moxxee Coffee parking lot on the corner of Lee and Morris streets at 5:45 p.m. before stepping off to invade the East End -- including the Run Like Hell event -- at 6:30 p.m. A few make-up artists will be on hand before the walk starts to help touch-up participants' looks.

Participation is free, and all participating zombies get $5 off their ticket to the Costume Crawl. (Stop by the crawl's registration booth at Frutcake for details.)

HallowEast Costume Pub Crawl: Bluegrass Kitchen, The Empty Glass, Little India Lounge, The Red Carpet and Tricky Fish are the five stops on this pub crawl/street party. Participants will get access to a VIP beer lounge, drink and food specials at the venues, live music from QIET and horror film screenings and as well as have a chance to win costume contest prizes.

Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. at Frutcake, 1599C Washington St. E., and the crawl begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $20. Reach Amy Robinson at flipside@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4881.